Gaffer reflects on Fleetwood defeat

8 March 2015

Speaking after Saturday's loss to Fleetwood Town at Bramall Lane, boss Nigel Clough says United are contributing heavily to their own downfall.

The Cod Army scored twice in 10 first-half minutes to put themselves in the ascendency and despite Matt Done header before the break, United failed to produce many chances in the second-half, to slip to a second home defeat in the space of five days.

Reflecting on the reversal, Clough remarked: "We are making mistakes and giving goals away too freely at home.

"It is very difficult to win any match when you are conceding two goals a game as we have done against Coventry, Peterborough and Fleetwood.

"In the second-half we got in and around the box, but we made poor decisions and our delivery was poor, we continually hit the first man, even from free-kicks we didn't put the ball in good areas.

"You can't accuse the players of not giving it their all, it is the final ball, that ruthlessness in front of goal that we are lacking and it is something that has affected us throughout the season, but at times we have got away with it.

"We shouldn't be conceding from where we have for the second and even for the first we are disappointed Iain (Turner) hasn't got a hand on it at his near post."

Despite the defeat, the Gaffer insists it is crucial the mood remains positive, he added: "The inconsistencies at home are frustrating and the confidence seems to have drained away quickly after the wins at Bristol City, Notts County and Rochdale.

"We had eight injuries on Saturday which restricted our options and ability to change the game from the bench, but let's hope this is our wobble and for the last 12 games we will see the job through properly.

"We will keep fighting and keep striving to improve. The games have certainly caught up with us, we looked dead on our feet at times which is understandable.

"We aren't worried, we were at a similar time last season when we were third from bottom, we are fifth now and have a lot to be optimistic about."